Recently tapped by United Way of Central Iowa to co-chair one of its Emerging Leadership Initiative committees, Neal Westin has taken on several new challenges in the past few years.

In addition to the United Way campaign, which focuses on improving the quality of education for children and reducing high school dropout rates, Westin plays an active role in the lives of his own kids.

“It’s been fun learning along with him,” said Westin, who last year coached his 8-year-old son through a six-game YMCA flag football season at Valley Stadium. “He’s got a younger brother that will also be following his footsteps, and I’m looking forward to a chance to coach him as well.”

Westin, a shareholder with the Nyemaster law firm, speaks regularly on the subject of immigration law. Last May, he delivered a speech at the Sterling Education Services seminar. Last summer, the attorney’s “Immigration Compliance Basics” article was published in Inside MBI.

“The opportunity to help individuals come here and start a new life is certainly a different experience from my typical type of corporate work,” Westin said.

In Beaverdale, Westin works with community leaders to improve business relationships and to strengthen the area’s commercial corridor. President of the Beaverdale Betterment Coalition from 2006 to 2009, he also volunteers with the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association.

“I’ve definitely enjoyed participating in the various activities in the neighborhood and hopefully have helped to improve the quality of the neighborhood along the way,” Westin said.

After graduating from the University of Iowa in 1995, Westin went on to earn a law degree from the University of Texas. A graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute class of 2005-2006, Westin has served on the board of directors of the Neil Smith National Wildlife Refuge and has donated about 5 gallons of blood at the Blood Center of Iowa.

“While Neal’s professional accomplishments are of significant note, his community roles outside of the office further demonstrate his abilities and willingness to serve as a leader,” wrote Hallie Still-Caris, a Nyemaster shareholder who nominated Westin for Forty Under 40.